Polyester from 1,4-dimethanol-1,4 dialkyl cyclohexane and dicarboxylic organic acids

ABSTRACT

Polyester from 1,4-dialkyl-1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl) cyclohexanes and dicarboxylic organic acids having at least one carbocyclic ring. Synthesis from substituted butadiene and acrylic compound starting materials is disclosed. Advantages of a variety of polyesters are illustrated.

United States @atefit [191 Schreyer 1451 Apr. 3, 1973 [54] POLYESTER FROM 1,4-DIMETHANOL- 1,4 DIALKYL CYCLOHEXANE AND DICARBOXYLIC ORGANIC ACIDS [75] Inventor: Ralph C. Schreyer, Wilmington,

Del.

[73] Assignee: E. l. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del.

[22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 195,858

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 722,204, April 18, 1968, Pat.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l970 Thompson ..260l75 3,492,272 3,635,902 l/l972 Thompson ..260/75 3,646,223

2/1972 Schreyer "260/617 Primary Examiner-William H. Short Assistant Examiner-L. C. Lee Attorney-Norris E. Ruckman [57] ABSTRACT Polyester from cyclohexanes and dicarboxylic organic acids having at least one carbocyclic ring. Synthesis from substituted biitadiene and acrylic compound starting materials is disclosed. Advantages of a variety of polyestersare illustrated.

12 Claims, No Drawings 1 ,4-dialkyl-l ,4-bis(hydrox ymethyl) POLYESTER FROM l,4-DIMETHANOL-l ,4 DIALKYL CYCLOIIEXANE AND DICARBOXYLIC ORGANIC ACIDS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a division of application Ser. No. 722,204, filed Apr. 18, 1968 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,223.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention provides compounds of the general formula:

wherein R and R are selected from CO X, CONX COCl, Cl-I NH CN, and CH OH, X being the same or different and independently selected from hydrogen and alkyl radicals of from one to six carbon atoms; and R and R are independently selected from alkyl radicals of one to four carbon atoms.

This invention also provides a process for the preparation of these compounds which comprises contacting a compound of the general formula:

R3 COzRi with carbon monoxide in the presence of an acid catalyst, wherein R is selected from hydrogen and alkyl radicals of from one to four carbon atoms, and R and R are as defined above.

This invention further provides polymers characterized by the presence in the molecular chain of the recurring structural unit:

wherein P and Q are selected from Y O Q -cH.-o-c and -cH2Nnc-,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The starting materials for the process of the instant invention can be prepared by contacting a 1,3-butadiene of the general formula wherein R is as defined above, with an acrylic compound of the general formula l CHz=CCOiR wherein R and R are as defined above in the presence of a solvent at elevated temperatures. Such butadienes can include, for example, isoprene; 2-ethyl-l,3-butadiene; 2-propyl-l,3-butadiene and 2-t-butyl-l,3-butadiene; and the acrylic compounds can include, for example, methacrylic acid, ethyl acrylic acid, propyl acrylic acid, butyl acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate', ethyl methacrylate, and methyl ethacrylate.

The molar ratio of the butadiene to acrylic compound is not critical and can vary from about 10:1 to about 1:10. Approximately stoichiometric ratios are preferred for reasons of economy and ease of recovery of the products. The temperature employed in the reaction of the butadiene with the acrylic compound is generally about from 100 to 300C, and preferably about from 175 to 200C. The pressure is not critical to the reaction. However, a moderately elevated nitrogen atmosphere is preferred, e.g., of about from to 1000 psi. Contact time for the reaction can vary from about 15 minutes to 24 hours, but the reaction is usually substantially complete in about-from 2 to 4 hours.

Thisreaction proceeds satisfactorily without a catalyst, however, particularly in the case of methyl methacrylat e, the use of a' Friedel-Crafts catalyst is found to promote a favorable distribution of the 4- and 3-alkyl-3-cyclohexene-l-carboxylate isomers, and the use of such catalyst is therefore preferred. Such catalysts can include, for example, aluminum chloride, ethyl aluminum dichloride, diethyl aluminum chloride, boron trifluoride, and titanium tetrachloride. In the presence of catalytic amounts of aluminum chloride, about 95 percent of the recovered product is the desired 4-isomer compared to a :30 distribution of the 4- to 3-isomers in the absence of a catalyst.

Alternatively, the l,4-dialkyl-3cyclohexenecarboxylic acid starting material can be prepared, for example,'by hydrolysis of the adduct formed by reaction of isoprene and methacrylonitrile as well as the selective oxidation of the adduct formed in the reaction between isoprene and methacrolein.

The carbonylation of the starting material is carried out by contacting the l,4-dialkyl-3-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid or alkyl l,4dialkyl-3-cyclohexenecarboxylate, with carbon monoxide and an acidic catalyst. The carbon monoxide can be supplied, for example, as carbon monoxide gas or as a compound which yields carbon monoxide in the acidic solution, such as formic acid and oxalic acid. The acidic catalyst can be selected, for example, from strong mineral acids, for

example, those having a pH of 1, such as sulfuric acid, at least 90 percent concentrated, HF or mixtures of hydrofluoric acid and boron trifluoride. A combination of carbon monoxide gas and 96% sulfuric acid has been found to result in especially high yields and conversions. At least about 5 moles of acid per mole of reactant should be present to obtain good yields and as many as 15 to 20 moles of acid per mole of reactant can be used.

The temperature for the carbonylation is not critical and usually varies about from 0 to 100C. However, temperatures of about from 20 to 50C have been found particularly effective. The pressure is also not critical to the process of the instant invention, and can be any pressure convenient for use with the particular source of carbon monoxide. For example, the pressure can be autogenous when using formic acid or up to about 20,000 psi when employing carbon monoxide gas. The lowest pressure that will give optimum yields is generally employed for convenience and economy.

The reaction time for the carbonylation varies from about 30 minutes to about 4 hours, depending on the particular reactants and carbonylation conditions; generally, the reaction is complete in l to 2 hours.

The resulting l,4-dialkyl-l,4-cyclohexane diacid or diester can be readily converted to the other derivatives. The corresponding dialkyl ester can be prepared from the diacid by treating the diacid with a lower alkanol, e.g., having one to eight carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, butanol, and isopropanol, in the presence of a strong mineral acid, for example, sulfuric acid. The corresponding glycols, cis, and trans-1,4-dialkyl-l ,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, can be prepared by hydrogenation of the dialkyl ester using a metal hydride or copper chromite catalyst. The corresponding acid halide, l,4-dialkyl-l ,4-cyclohexanedicarbonyl halide, is obtained by contacting the diacid with a thionyl halide, such as thionyl chloride or thionyl bromide. The diamide, 1,4-dialkyl-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxamide, is obtained by contacting the diester or the acid halide with ammonia. This can be effected, for example, by placing the diester in solution, e.g., with an ether or alcohol, and passing ammonia gas through the solution. Alternatively, the diester can be contacted with an aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide, having a concentration, for example, of about from to 30 percent ammonium hydroxide.

The diamide can be dehydrated to form the corresponding dinitrile. Suitable dehydrating agents can include, for example, thionyl halides such as thionyl chloride or thionyl bromide, phosphorous oxy chloride, pyrophosphate and acetyl chloride. The dehydration can also be accomplished with heat and a solid catalyst such as alumina.

The dinitrile can be hydrogenated at ambient tem- The condensation polymers of the instant invention are derived from l,4-dimethyl-l,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and are characterized by the presence in the molecular chain of the diradical ita wherein R R,, P, and Q are as defined hereinbefore. Polymers in which units of the above diradical are joined by recurring ester and amide groups are found to have especially desirable properties.

Generally, the polymers of the instant invention should have a degree of polymerization of about from 15 to 150, and preferably 20 to 150.

The polyesters of the instant invention comprise solid linear condensation polymers of a dicarboxylic acid and a diol as basic molecular units wherein at least 7 one of said units contains a six-membered cycloaliphatic ring with carboxyl or methyleneoxy groups attached in 14 relationship to ring carbon atoms, which ring carbon atoms are also attached to alkyl groups. Any additional constituent of the diol or acid is generally selected from ether oxygen and saturated hydrocarbon groups having a total of up to eight carbon atoms. The polyester can be composed of a dicarboxylic acid and at least one bifunctional compound reactive with dicarboxylic acids to form linear condensation polymers, at least 50 mole percent of said bifunctional compound consisting of a diol in which two hydroxymethyl groups are attached in l-4 relationship to a six-membered cycloaliphatic ring, with the point of attachment being a ring carbon atom which is also attached to an alkyl group. The remainder of the bifunctional component may be another dihydroxy compound, a diamine, a diisocyanate, a hydroxy acid, a hydroxy amine, or an amino acid. In another embodiment of the invention the polyester may be composed of a diol and at least one bifunctional compound reactive with diols to form linear condensation polymers, at least 50 mole percent of said bifunctional compound consisting of a dicarboxylic acid containing at least one G-membered cycloaliphatic ring with the two carboxyl groups attached in 1-4 relationship to ring carbons which are also attached to alkyl groups. The remainder of the bifunctional component may be another dicarboxylic acid, a hydroxy acid, a diisocyanate, or an amino acid.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises polyesters characterized by possessing recurring units of one of the following formulas:

I. O R CHz-CH: R 0

CHz-CHz where G is a divalent organic radical obtained by removing the hydroxyl groups from the organic diol G(OH and may be aromatic, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic, A is a divalent organic radical obtained by removing the carboxyl groups from the organic dicarboxylic acid A(COOl-l) and is preferably an aromatic radical, and R is a lower alkyl radical having one to four carbon atoms.

The starting material dicarboxylic acids from which the polyesters are prepared may be in the form of their ester-forming derivatives, i.e., their carbonylhalides, anhydrides, salts, or esters, particularly their esters with the lower aliphatic alcohols or with phenol. Terephthalic acid and l,2-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)ethane are examples of dicarboxylic acids A(COOH) which may be used with the novel diols to form polyesters,- and these acids are indeed particularly preferred for the purpose of producing polyesters suitable for spinning textile filaments. Other examples of suitable acids include bibenzoic acid, bis-4-carboxyphenylsulfoxide, bis-4-carboxyphenylether, l,2-bis(4-carboxyphenoxy)ethane, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, I ,4-bis(4-carboxyphenoxy )butane, l ,4-bicyclo[2.2.2 loctane-dicarboxylic acid, hexahydroterephthalic acid, and bis(4-carboxyphenoxy)p-xylene. The divalent radical A is preferably composed primarily of carbon and hydrogen but may contain, in addition to the two carboxyl groups, other non-hydrocarbon components or substituents which are inert in the polyesterification reaction. Mixtures of the dicarboxylic acids may be employed.

Organic diols G(OH) suitable for reaction with the novel acids of the invention to form useful polyesters are preferably chosen from the bis(hydroxymethylcyclohexyl)alkanes or bis(hydroxymethylcyclohexyl). Other suitable diols which may be employed include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, 2,2- dimethylpropylene glycol, 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-l,S- pentanediol, hexamethylene glycol, decamethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, ethylene-dioxydiglycol, cis or trans hexahydro-p-xylylene glycol, cis or trans-quinitol, l,4-bis(4-hydroxymethylcyclohexyl)cyclohexane, 1 ,4- bis(3-hydroxypropyl)benzene, 2,6-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)naphthalene, Y l,4-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, hydroquinone, 4,4-dihydroxybiphenyl, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, l,l-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)ethane, and l,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenoxy)ethane. Mixtures of diols may be used.

A convenient method for preparing the polymers involves reaction of an alkyl ester of a suitable dicarboxylic acid with a suitable organic diol in an ester interchange reaction followed by polycondensation at high temperature and at low partial pressure of the diol, until a polymer of the desired molecular weight is produced. it is desirable to employ an ester of the dicarboxylic acid formed from an alcohol or a phenol with a boiling point considerably below that of the organic diol so that the former can be removed easily from the reaction zone by distillation. It is preferred to use the methyl or ethyl esters. The ester interchange reaction is advantageously carried out in the presence of ester interchange catalysts such as manganous acetate, calcium acetate, sodium methoxide, sodium hydrogen hexabutoxytitanate, tetraalkyltitanates such as tetraisopropyltitanate, or other suitable ester interchange catalysts as described in the literature relating to preparation of polyesters.

Following the ester interchange reaction, heating is continued under reduced pressure until the excess diol is removed and the polymerization reaction has proceeded to the desired degree. The final stages of polymerization may be carried out with the polymer in the molten state or, if desired, the reaction may be completed by solid-phase polymerization. The polymerization reaction may be carried out in the presence of catalysts such as antimony trioxide, litharge, zinc acetate, or other suitable poly-condensation catalyst as described in the literature. Sodium hydrogen hexabutoxytitanate and the tetraalkyl titanates such as tetraisopropylene-titanate are examples of catalysts which may be usedfor both the ester interchange and polymerization steps.

When the polymer is to be prepared from a dihydric phenol it is suitable to first react the dihydric phenol with acetic anhydride and then use the resulting dihydric phenoldiacetate as the starting material for reaction with a suitable dicarboxylic acid. The initial reaction is advantageously carried out in the presence of a catalyst such as sodium acetate.

Homopolyesters having Formula I or II as described above are generally crystalline, high melting and stable to heat and light. Accordingly, they are well suited to the formation of fibers, films and other useful shaped articles prepared by molding and extrusion techniques.

In the examples the expression polymer melt temperature (PMT) employed with respect to the products of this invention refers to the minimum temperature at which a sample of the polymer leaves a wet molten trail as it is stroked with moderate pressure across a smooth surface of a heated metal.

The term intrinsic viscosity, as used in the examples, is defined as the limit of the fraction ln(r)/c, as c approaches 0, where (r) is the relative viscosity, and c is the concentration in grams per ml of solution. The relative viscosity (r) is the ratio of the viscosity of a solution of the polymer in a suitable solvent to the viscosity of the solvent, per se, measured in the same units at 25C. Intrinsic viscosity is a measure of the degree of polymerization. For the polyesters in the examples, suitable solvents include a mixture of phenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in a 10/7 by weight ratio, a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and methylene chloride in a A; by volume ratio, and 100 percent sulfuric acid.

Additional polymers of the instant invention can be prepared from the novel monomeric compounds of the instant invention by conventional techniques for the formation of condensation polymers. For example, polyamides, polyureas, and polyurethanes can be prepared according to the general reaction procedures set forth in Sorenson and Campbell, Preparative Methods of Polymer Chemistry, New York (1961) on pages 60, 92 and 105, respectively.

in the following examples, which further illustrate the instant invention, parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise indicated. Example 1 1,4- Dimethyl-l ,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid Part A A mixture of 52 parts of methacrylic acid and 85 parts of isoprene is heated in a stirred stainless steel autoclave at C and under 1000 psi nitrogen pressure for 2 hours. Distillation of the discharged product under l-2 mm vacuum gives 8.5 parts of a fraction I, b.p. 60-lO0C, and 53.5 parts of a fraction II, b.p. l05-l 10C, which solidify on cooling in dry ice.

V matographic (VPC) analysis using a ft. FFAP column (Wilkens Instrument and Research Inc.). Fraction I was identified as the 1,3-dimethyl isomer.

. Part B A charge of 25 parts of the adduct, 1,4- dimethyl-3-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid and 230 parts of 96 percent H SO which had been cooled to 0C, is stirred in a glass liner at 35C and placed in a stainless steel autoclave under 15,000 psi carbon monoxide pressure for 2 hours. The pressure in the autoclave is then vented and the reaction product poured over 500 parts of ice. A water-insoluble product, identified as the transisomer, is filtered off and the water-soluble cis isomer is recovered by cooling the remaining filtrate to l0C and filtering to remove the solid acid. After a twofold extraction with methylene chloride, 31.6 parts of both isomers, about 60 percent (23.9 parts) transl,4-dimethylcyclohexane-l,4-dicarboxylic acid, m.p. 308C, and about 40 percent (7.7 parts) cis-l,4- dimethylcyclohexane-l,4-dicarboxylic acid, m.p. l88-l89C, is obtained, giving a 99 percent conversion and a 97.3 percent yield. The structures of the products are confirmed by NMR and IR analysis. Analysis Calcd for C H O C, 60.00%; H, 8.00%

Found: trans-C 60.46 7.73 60.46 7.90

cis-C 59.02 7.90

If Part B of Example l is repeated, using 1,4-diethyl- 3-cyclohexene-carboxylic acid or 1-methyl-4-propyl-3- cyclohexene-carboxylic acid instead of 1,4-dimethyl-3- cyclohexene-carboxylic acid, the products obtained will be, respectively, 1,4-diethylcyclohexanel ,4-dicarboxylic acid and 1-methyl-4-propyl-cyclohexane-l ,4- dicarboxylic acid.

Examples 26 In Examples 2-6, l,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid is treated with concentrated H SO under varying carbonylation conditions as indicated in the and subsequent distillation at 0.9 mm Hg pressure and 5360C gives 153 parts percent yield) of the intermediate adduct in a 9/1 ratio of methyl 1,4- and I methyl 1,3-dimethyl-3-cyclohexenecarboxylate.

Part B 10 Parts of the product of Part A and 183 parts of concentrated sulfuric acid are heated to.70C and maintained at that temperature for two hours under 12,000 psig carbon monoxide. 7.8 Parts (=65 percent yield) of the desired acid, 1,4-dimethylcyclohexane-l ,4-dicarboxylic acid, is obtained.

Example 8 cisand trans-1 ,4-Dimethyl-l ,4- bis(carbomethoxy)cyclohexane Parts of 1,4-dimethylcyclohexane-l,4-dicarboxylic acid is added to 790 parts of 95 percent methanol in a round bottom flask, followed by addition of 92 parts of 96% H SO The reaction mixture is heated to reflux (69-71C) for 2 hours, then allowed to cool to room temperature and discharged into 2000 parts of distilled water. 101 Parts of solid material precipitates. The solid is removed by filtration and the filtrate is then extracted twice with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride extract is dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and flash evaporated. 16.7 Parts of solid product are obtained after evaporation. The combined products (117.8 parts) are vacuum distilled to give 95 percent yield (98 percent conversion) two fractions: at b.p. l30-l3l.5/5 mm, 67.2 parts of a white solid, trans-l ,4-dimethyl-1,4-bis(carbomethoxy)cyclohexane, m.p. 9899C, and at b.p. l35.3-1 36.5/5 mm, 42.3 parts of a colorless liquid, cis- 1,4- dimethyl-l,4-bis(carbomethoxy)cyclohexane. Compound structures are confirmed by infrared spectrum. The purity of the esters is determined by VPC using a 5-foot FFAP column (Wilkins Instrument and Research Inc.).

Analysis Calcd for C H O C, 63.16%; H, 8.77%

Found:

Example 9 l,4-Dimethyl-l ,4-

45 bis h drox meth l c clohexane following Table to give l,4-dimethylcyclohexane-l,4- y y y y dicarboxylic acid in the yields indicated. A mixture of 84.5 parts of l,4-dimethyl-l,4-dicar TABLE I (10 Solid (lillll'SSUl'fl 'limn Temp. Solid Liquid basic utm- Acid Examplv Adduct H280. (p.s.i. (lm) 0.) acid flaetnnu) version yield 2.. l lHil L111") .I 11X 31) L5 ('1. l II! III] 11 Ill 1N3 5,0111] L. ill) 1(3 5. I '1. :1 I115 74 4 ill! mic Hrn'm 1m :m 17.7 .L'. on 77 Inn .01., I), nun in mu. 0 .m J7 6 ..II lHIi ll], mm 1: 15., 1|. 0 M

Example 7 Part A 80 Parts of isoprene, 100 parts of methyl methacrylate, and 7 parts of aluminum chloride are mixed in parts of benzene. The resultant reaction is exothermic and no external heat is applied. The tem-. perature reaches the reflux temperature of isoprene bomethoxy-cyclohexane, 84.5 parts of bariumpromoted copper chromite catalyst and'400 parts of absolute methanol is hydrogenated at 10,000 psig and 225C for 12 hours. Upon completion of the reaction, the catalyst is removed by filtration and after evaporation of the methanol, 60 parts (94 percent conversion) (34C) and after four hours reaction time, the resulting 65 of a white, crystalline solid is recovered. The solid is mixture is poured into water. Two layers form and are separated. The organic layer is dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Benzene is removed by evaporation identified as a mixture of the cis- (m.p. 124-127C) and trans- (m.p. l60-l63C) isomers of 1,4-dimethyll ,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane.

Example 10 cis-1,4-Dimethyll,4- bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane A mixture of 10 parts of pure cis-1,4-dimethyl-1,4-

bis(carbomethoxy)cyclohexane, parts of barium promoted copper chromite catalyst, and 100 parts of absolute ethanol is hydrogenated at 10,000 psi and Found:

VPC analysis of the diacetate ester indicated 98 percent cis content.

Example 1 l trans-1,4-Dimethyl-l,4- bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane Found:

VPC analysis of the product indicated 98 percent trans content.

Example 12 1,4-Dimethylcyclohexane-1,4-dicarbonyl chloride A mixture of 13.6 parts of about 85 percent transand about 15 percent cis-1,4-dimethyl-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and 40 parts of SOCl is stirred at g 70-75C for 2% hours. The excess SOCl is removed by distillation and further distillation under vacuum gives 1.6 parts of a solid, b.p. 120-140C/10-12 mm. The solid, after recrystallization from petroleum ether, yields 0.8 parts, m.p. l05110C. Further recrystallization gives a solid, m.p. 113-114C. An additional 7 parts of solid, m.p. 1051 12C, are obtained by washing the column out with ether. The product is identified as 1,4-dimethylcyclohexane-l ,4-dicarbonyl chloride by elemental analysis.

Analysis Calcd for c..,n.,o,c1,; C, 50.63%; H, 5.91%;

Found: 50.97 5.83 29.97

EXAMPLE l3 1,4-Dimethyl-l ,4- cyclohexanedicarboxamide Ammonia gas is passed into a stirred solution of 0.5 parts of the diacid chloride of 1,4-dimethyl-1,4- cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and 71 parts of ethyl ether for 15 minutes at 25C. A white solid is filtered from the aqueous solution and warmed with parts of water on a steam cone for 15 minutes. The'resulting solid is filtered from the water and washed with ether. After drying in air, 0.11 parts of a solid, m.p. 310C (uncorrected) is obtained. The product is identified as 1 ,4-dimethyl-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxamide by elemental analysis. Analysis Calcd for c u o n C, 60.6%; 1-1, 9.09%; N, 14.14%

Found: 59.25 8.95 13.87 59.30 9.11 14.03

Example 14 If 1,4-dimethyl-l ,4-cyclohexanedicarboamide is contacted with thionyl chloride at a temperature of about 100C, 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-cyclohexanedinitrile is obtained.

Example 15 If 1 ,4-dimethyl-1 ,4-cyclohexanedinitrile is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of Raney nickel catalyst and ethyl ether solvent, 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-cyclohexanedimethylamine is obtained.

Example 16 Preparation of Polyester from Trans-1,4- Dimethyl-l ,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylate of 2,2- bis(hydroxyphenyl)propane 2,2-bis(p-acetoxyphenyl)propane, (15.60 parts), 10 parts of trans-1,4-dimethyl-1 ,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and 0.074 parts of KOAc are placed in a polymer tube fitted with a nitrogen capillary tube. Acidolysis begins when the mixture is heated to 255. After 2 hrs and 25 minutes at 255-265 C, 4.2 ml of acetic acid has distilled from the reaction mixture. After acidolysis has continued at 287 at atmospheric pressure for another 40 minutes, the pressure is reduced to 0.07 mm and the polymerization is completed by heating at 285-293/0.07 for 3 hrs. The

resulting polymer is identified as having the following structural formula:

spun from 72/25 Triclene /trifluoroacetic acid (33.5% solids, wt/vol) to 12 dpf yarn.

11 Example 17 Preparation of Polyester from Trans-1,4-

Dimethyl-l ,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic Acid and v l-lydroquinone Hydroquinone diacetate, (7.51 parts), 7.74 parts of trans-l ,4-dim ethyl-l ,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and 0.05 parts of KOAc are placed in a polymer tube fitted with a capillary tube for supplying nitrogen. The mixture is heated to 245255 for 1% hours and then the temperature is raised to 270 for 30 minutes. Next, the pressure is reduced to 0.1 mm of mercury and the temperature raised to 280287. After 3 hours the polymer tube is brought to atmospheric pressure with nitrogen and the polymer allowed to cool. The resulting polyester melts at 355C, is insoluble in trifluoroacetic l5 acid/methylene chloride (25/75) and has a crystalline X-ray diffraction pattern. Tenacious fibers can be drawn from the melt. The structural formula of the product is:

Example 18 Polymers of Cis/Trans (15/85)-1,4- Dimethyl-l ,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic Acid and 1,2- bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethane A polymer tube is charged with 14.90 parts. 1,2- bis(p-acetoxy-phenyl)ethane, 10.00 parts of 15/85 cis/trans 1 ,4-dimethyl-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and 0.074 parts of potassium acetate and the tube fitted with a capillary force supplying nitrogen. The mixture is heated to 255, whereupon acetic acid begins to evolve. After 1 hr at 252256 the temperature is raised to 26027 3 for 1% hours. The pressure in the tube is then reduced and the polymerization completed by heating at 285290/0.5 mm mercury for 3 hours. The resulting polymer is insoluble in 25/75 trifluoroacetic acid/methylene chloride, has a melting point of 308 and has a crystalline X-ray diffraction pattern. Tenacious fibers can be drawn from the melt.

The structural formula of the product is identified as:

(Illa e l 111 w v M 7 7 Example 19 Preparation of Polyester from 1,4- Dimethyl-1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and Terephthalic Acid sure in the tube is reduced to 0.8 mm mercury and polymerization continuedfor 20 hours at 280-285C. The polymer produced melts at 230C, has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.92 and a carboxyl value of 0. The second order transition temperature, Tg, as determined by differential thermal analysis, is about 1 10C.

The structural formula of the recurring unit of the product is identified as:

The polymer is melt-spun at 282287C to give a yarn having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.90 and a free carboxyl content of 3.6 equiv/10 gms. After drawing 1.6X at 140C the yarn has a tenacity of 1.7 gpd, a break elongation of 12 percent and an initial modulus of 29 gpd.

After mock finishing, the yarn is tested for recovery properties with the following results.

WRJWR, 40C wet 69/47 TR rR, 40C wet 93/78 TSR 74% Tg, the second order transition temperature, is defined herein as the temperature at which a discontinuity occurs in the curve of a firstderivative thermodynamic quantity with temperature. It is correlated with yield temperature and polymer fluidity and can be observed from a plot of density, specific volume, specific heat, sonic modulus or index of refraction against temperature. A convenient method for determining Tg for a given sample of polymer is given by Pace in his US. Pat. No. 2,556,295 (col. 3, line 24, to col. 4, line 19).

Values of tensile strain recovery (TSR) for a filament are an indication of the wash-wear performance to be expected from garments prepared from such filaments. The TSR of a filament is determined by mounting a 10- inch length of the filament on a tensile tester with recording chart (commercially available from the lnstron Engineering Corporation, Quincy, Mass.) and also equipped with a circulating water bath which can be raised and lowered. The water bath, maintained at 40C, is raised to immerse the filament. After the filament has been immersed for 2 minutes without tension it is stretched, in the water bath, at an elongation rate of 1 inch per minute. Upon reaching the desired total elongation, the sample is held at constant length for an additional 2 minutes and the water bath is removed. The load on the filament is then reduced to a value of 0.042 gpd and the filament is allowed to retract. Percent recovery is calculated from the formula:

(units of retraction/units of elongation) X 100 percent This procedure is carried out for elongations of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 percent, and a graph is prepared by plotting the percent recovery against total elongation in the range 0-3 percent. TSR values are average percent recovery values from the range 0-3 percent elongation which may be determined from the graph by usual graphical averaging procedures.

Filaments having TSR values of percent are considered to have good tensile recovery, while filaments exhibiting TSR values of percent and above are considered quite superior.

TR,, tensile recovery from x percent elongation, is a measure of the extent to which a fiber or a yarn recovers its original length after being stretched, as determined from a stress-strain curve. In this test, the sample is stretched at the rate of percent of its test length per minute until it has reached approximately x percent elongation, after which it is held at this elonga tion for 30 seconds and then allowed to retract at a controlled rate of 10 percent per minute, based on its original test length. The extension during the elongation and the recovery during retraction are measured along the elongation axis. TR, is then calculated as the percentage ratio of the amount of fiber retraction to the amount of its elongation. In the examples, TR; and TR refer to tensile recovery from 3 and 5 percent elongation, respectively.

WR work recovery from y% elongation, is a measure of the freedom from permanent realignment of the polymer molecule following stretching of the fiber or yarn. The ratio of the work done by the polymer molecule in attempting to return to their original alignment following stretching to a predetermined elongation to the work done on the sample during stretching is termed the work recovery. The work recovery is determined from the same stress-strain curve employed to measure the tensile recovery at x percent elongation. WR is calculated as the percentage ratio of the area The polymer is melt-spun at 275285C and then drawn 4.0X at 100C to give a yarn having a tenacity of 2.0 gpd, a break elongation of 31 percent and an initia modulus of 28 gpd. I

After mock finishing and heat-setting at 180C the yarn is tested for recovery properties with the following results:

WRJWR, C wet 62/59 TRJTR.40C'wet 89/85 TSR 61% Examples 2l-37 Tami:

Diol cis/trans PMT, Example ratio Acid C.

35/65 Bibenzoic acid 300 35/65 Bis-4-carboxyphenyl sulloxidv 234 15/85. (10 t 295 0/100 Bis-4-carboxyphcnyl ctlu-r 225 35/65 Tcrcphthalic acid 135 ()/100 200 35/65 Naphthalcnc2,6-dicarb0xylic aci(l 276 15/85 ..-do 260 ()/100 1,2-hl5(4-carhoxyphcnyl)othum.. 250 11/100... .(lo 205 )/100 1,4-bis(4-carboxyphcnoxy)butaiu... 210 15/85 Bis(4-carhoxyphcnoxy)-cis1 hcxahydroxylylcne 230 15/85 13is(4-carboxyphunoxy)-trans-p-licxahydroxylylc 200 35/65 1,4bicyclol2 2.2]octanc (licarboxylic acid 215 15/85 .....(10 N 270 0/100 .;do. 305 0/100 Tcrcphthulic acirl/isoplithalic acid (85/15 102 under the controlled relaxation curve to the area under Example 38 the stretching curve. In the examples, WR; and WR, refer to work recovery from 3 and 5 percent elongation, respectively.

EXAMPLE 20 Preparation of Polyester from transl ,4-Dimethyll ,4-bis-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane and trans-1 ,4-dimethyl-1 ,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic Acid at 280-285C with a pressure of 1.0 mm mercury. The

polymer produced has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.78, a PMT of 240C and a free carboxyl content of 0.0.

The structural formula of the recurring unit of the To illustrate hydrolytic stability, three of the polymers described above are subjected to a test in which the loss in weight is measured after boiling for 3 hours in 3 percent sodium hydroxide solution. The results are shown in the following table, which also includes the value obtained for polyethylene terephthalate in the same test. The superior performance of the polyesters of this invention is obvious from an inspection of the data.

TABLE 3 Source of Polymer Weight Loss, Example 21 0 5 Example 22 1.9 Example 24 0.0 Polyethylene terephthalate 55.8

Example 39 The polyester of Example 30 is melted and spun into yarn at a temperature of 262 C. Remarkable thermal stability is shown by the fact that the polymer suffers no detectible loss in intrinsic viscosity during spinning and, when analyzed for free carboxyl groups, shows carboxyl values of 0.0 for both polymer and yarn.

15 16 Exa l 40 p l id of 1,4-di h 1-1 4- 1,4-bis( amino methyl)cyclohexane are reacted in l h di b li A id d water in the presence of 1 percent excess NaOl-l under Hexamethylenediamine high speed stirring conditions in the presence of sodium laurylsulfate detergent. The resulting product is col- A stoichiometrically balanced nylon salt is prepared 5 l ted, dried, and is identified as a polyurethane. from hexamethylenediamine and l,4-dimethyl-l,4- I claim:

cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, sealed in apolymer tube 1. A film or fiber forming consisting essentially of and heated to a temperature of 280C for 3 hours. The polyester recurring units represented by the formula product at this point has an inherent viscosity of 0.28,

measured in sulfuric acid. The product is further O O R CH2 cH2 R polymerized in the solid phase for hours at a tem- L i perature of 285C in an atmosphere of steam. The final product has an inherent viscosity of 1.03, measured in CHE-CH2 sulfuric acid, and a melting point of 372C by diff mi l h i l i 15 wherein R is a lower alkyl radical having one to four The polymeric product is then melt-spun using a carbon atoms and A is a divalent organic radical being press spinner at 390C to give a yarn which has an incomposed Primarily of carbon and hydrogen with y herent viscosity (sulfuric acid) of 0.84 and-which can other compo'lem being ether y be drawn 53 at a temperature f 2. A polyester as defined in claim 1, consisting essen- T ill bili 3 l id prepared as tially of recurring structural units represented by the above, except not exactly stoichiometrically balanced, formula is heated in a steam atmosphere at 325C for a period R on gun R O O of Shows and found to suffer no change in inherent 1 2 viscosity. The polymer is then heated under nitrogen L' c cnio c c*ol for 55 hours at 255C and gives no sign of gelation. V CH1CH2 Further heating at 285C under nitrogen for 24 hours still gives no sign of gelation. This is remarkable when it A Polyester as defined in claim 1, consisting is realized that a polyamide prepared from' tially of recurring structural units represented by the amethylenediamine and I unsubstituted 1,4-cyclohexformula anedicarboxylic acid will show extensive gelation when heated under these conditions. I CHQ CH\2I? T I The inherent viscosity (m is equal to In r/c where c is 0.5 g polymer per 100 ml solvent. L CHI-cm CHzCHz .l

Example 41 Polyurethane from Hexamethylene Diisocyanate and DMeHPXG 4. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the Hexamethylene diisocyanate, 5.04 g, and 5.16 g 1,4- f m l dimethyl-l y y y yclohexane are 5. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essenreacted in 150 cc of refluxing, stirred chlorobenzene. tiall of recurring structural units represented by the After 5 hours, the reaction mixture is evaporated to 45 formula dryness and the residue dissolved in methylene 6. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essenchloride. Water is added and the methylene chloride tially of recurring structural units represented by the driven off by boiling the water. On cooling the water, a formula solid polyurethane product is obtained having a melting R enroll: R

O 0 point of l 16 C, [1;]0.3l. CHZ (IJ IJ O 1 Example 42 Polyurethane from Hexamethylene L &

bis(chloroformate) and 1,4-Dimethyl-l ,4-bis(amino methyl )cyclohexane 7. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essen- Equimolar proportions of hexamethylene 0 tially of recurring structural units represented by the bis(chloroformate) in chloroform and 1,4-dimethylformula 8. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula 9. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the 1 formula Y o R CH2CH: R o

2: H 1 CHz-C\ /CCHOC OCHCH2CH:CH1O -(:-0 L cmcm .l .10. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula g 1|{/cIIl- CH\1 t /CHz-CH\1 I -'-cH2c /C-CHzO-( J -oCH:-Cg CHCHz0-CO L cut-c112 CHz-Cfi .l

I 11; A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting es- 12. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by sentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula 3 r the formulas I'- R/CHz-CH2\R (I) (I) I -cH,-o o-om-o-d--d-o-- L CHz-CHz J and R Cl1zCHz R 0 o 1/ n l R CHz-LHz R o CHZCHZ 0 --CH:C c-0m0-ec-ol/ \I ll ll 1 --cu2-0 /ccHz0-c-c cH1-c1c- -o- Gib-Cm l Cur-CH2 CIIz-CH: l

r Wm

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,1 5,3 5 Dated April 5, 973

Inventor-(s) Ralph C. Schreye 1? appears in the above-identified patent It is certified that erro orrected as shown below:

and that said Letters Patent are hereby c 001. 16, Claim '1, line 1: Insert --polyester-- between I "f rming" and licensisting".

001., 16, Claim 1, line 2 Delete "polyester".

he formula: After "OCH insert (Ml, l6, Claim 1, in t e a bond Signed and sealed this 'lst day of January 19711..

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGrMEr R Attest'ing Officer 7 Agting Commissioner of Patents 

2. A polyester as defined in claim 1, consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 3. A polyester as defined in claim 1, consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 4. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 5. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 6. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 7. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 8. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 9. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 10. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 11. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula
 12. A polyester as defined in claim 1 consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formulas 